Hemigraphis alternata plant named ‘HEGHE01’

ABSTRACT

‘HEGHE01’ is a distinctive variety of  Hemigraphis alternata  which is characterized by pink and green to white and green variegation of the upper leaf surface, pink coloration of the lower leaf surface, highly bullate leaf texture, highly involuted leaf margins, particularly in immature foliage, with an upward to near-vertical leaf orientation, and a dense growth habit.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Hemigraphis alternata.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Hemigraphis alternata disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘HEGHE01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Hemigraphis alternata, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘HEGHE01’. Its market class is that of an herbaceous perennial groundcover. The primary intended use of Hemigraphis alternata is as a decorative foliage plant in ornamental containers, but it may also be used as a spreading groundcover in warm, tropical climates. The species is known for its attractive foliage color which can be described as an iridescent, metallic purple upper leaf surface and a solid purple lower leaf surface.

Parentage: In June 2012, a spontaneous mutation of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’ (unpatented), possessing white and green foliage variegation, was discovered at a commercial greenhouse facility in Apopka, Fla. in a stock crop of 9,778 nursery pots of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’ that were originally planted from unrooted cuttings in November 2006. All other progeny in the crop maintained the foliage color that is typical of the parent. Each pot within the crop contained multiple vegetative cutting progeny and, upon closer examination, it was determined that the variegated mutation, or “sport”, resulted from a mutation on a lateral branch of one such vegetative cutting. Said sport was removed from the mother plant as a vegetative cutting in June 2012 and rooted in a separate area so its growth could be monitored. Subsequent vegetative cuttings were taken and rooted. It was found that the sport remained true to type. The new plant was finally selected in December 2012 and given the name ‘HEGHE01’.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘HEGHE01’ was first propagated asexually by stem cuttings at a commercial greenhouse in Apopka, Fla. and has since been asexually propagated through numerous successive generations with a total of 113,433 resulting progeny. The distinctive characteristics of the inventive ‘HEGHE01’ variety are stable from generation to generation; clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain the distinguishing characteristics of the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘HEGHE01’ is a distinctive variety of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’ which is characterized by pink and green to white and green variegation of the upper leaf surface, pink coloration of the lower leaf surface, highly bullate leaf texture, highly involuted leaf margins, particularly in immature foliage, with an upward to near-vertical leaf orientation, and a dense growth habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary 5 week-old ‘HEGHE01’ plant.

FIG. 2 illustrates a comparison of ‘HEGHE01’ (on right) with the parent, Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’, on left. Both plants are 28 weeks old.

FIG. 3 illustrates the exemplary foliage variegation of ‘HEGHE01’ (on right) at various stages of development, from juvenile to intermediate to mature, by comparison with the parent, on left. Perspective is adaxial; juvenile leaf margins were out-rolled in order to display entire surface.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Hemigraphis alternata ornamental plant known as ‘HEGHE01’. Plant observations were made on plants grown at a commercial greenhouse in Apopka, Fla. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made from 28 week-old, greenhouse-grown ‘HEGHE01’ plants grown from rooted cuttings in 15 cm nursery pots filled with soilless potting media, maintained with periodic applications of liquid slow-release fertilizer with a 20-20-20 (Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium) formulation at a rate of 225 parts-per-million of Nitrogen. Plants were regularly watered with drip irrigation (pH 6.0) and systemic fungicides and insecticides were applied as pest treatment thresholds dictated. Approximate average temperature range in the greenhouse was between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and light levels ranged from 1500 to 1800 Foot-candles. No plant growth regulators were used.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘HEGHE01’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition. Note that generic color descriptions such as ‘purple’ do not exist in the R.H.S. charts and the corresponding R.H.S. colors are quoted.

‘HEGHE01’ is a perennial Hemigraphis alternata plant which is a spontaneous mutation of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’, selected for its unique foliage characteristics and a dense growth habit. These features and other characteristics are apparent from the description provided below.

Growth Habit, Dimensions and Color

-   Plant description:     -   -   Plant habit.—Creeping to mounding herbaceous perennial with             a fast growth rate. Juvenile and immature foliage with a             near vertical orientation.         -   Height.—22 cm as measured.         -   Width.—28 cm as measured.         -   Natural bloom period.—Sporadic; may bloom at any time of             year in warm environments.         -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 10 to 11.         -   Environmental tolerances.—In common with the species; does             not tolerate drought, high salinity, low temperatures or             frost.         -   Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.—In common             with the species; none of note.         -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using vegetative             cuttings and plants root well without the use of a rooting             compound or hormone. Time to initiate root development is             approximately 7 to 12 days at approximately 70 degrees             Fahrenheit, with light levels of 1800-2000 Foot-candles. -   Roots: Fibrous and freely branched and also exhibits adventitious     rooting from aerial nodes. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching and habit.—Freely branching with numerous branches             ascending from all nodes.         -   Stem strength.—Weak; little rigidity.         -   Shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Stem color.—A combination of red-purple 63C and yellow-green             146D, with the predominant color being red-purple 63C.         -   Stem dimensions.—Longest stem measured at 140 mm. Stem             diameter ranges from 3 to 5 mm at the base.         -   Stem surface.—Soft and pubescent.         -   Internode length.—Highly variable throughout the plant;             generally ranges from 20 to 35 mm between the first and             second aerial nodes. -   Foliage:     -   -   Type.—Perennial.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Arrangement.—Opposite, decussate.         -   Orientation.—Near-vertical in juvenile and intermediate             foliage and becoming upward and outward to horizontal in             mature foliage.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Broadly acute.         -   Base.—Broadly Cuneate to acute.         -   Cross-section.—Involute.         -   Venation.—Reticulate.         -   Vein color (adaxial surfaces).—Basal portion of the midrib             is red-purple 63B, becoming green 138D along the apical half             of the midrib. All secondary veins are green 138D, except             becoming green-white 157B at and near the leaf margins.         -   Vein color (abaxial surfaces).—Red-purple 64A.         -   Margins.—Crenate and highly involute.         -   Texture.—Highly bullate; both adaxial and abaxial surfaces             are pubescent.         -   Mature leaf dimensions.—Approximate length 80 mm, average             width 45 mm.         -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—Juvenile: variegated with an             irregular pattern of greyed-green 191A at and near the             midrib, becoming red-purple 63D at and near the leaf margin;             Intermediate foliage: variegated with an irregular pattern             of greyed-green 191A at and near the midrib, becoming             red-purple 63B at and near the leaf margin; Mature:             variegated with an irregular pattern of greyed-green 191A at             and near the midrib, becoming yellow-white 158D at and near             the leaf margin.         -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—Juvenile: variegated with an             irregular pattern of red-purple 70A at and near the midrib,             becoming red-purple 64A to 64B at and near the margin;             Intermediate foliage: variegated with an irregular pattern             of red-purple 70A at and near the midrib, becoming             greyed-purple 186A at and near the leaf margin; Mature:             variegated with an irregular pattern and exhibiting a             combination of red-purple 70B and 71A at and near the             midrib, becoming yellow 11D at and near the leaf margin.         -   Petiole.—Longest measured petioles are 55 mm; width is 3 mm.             Adaxial color is greyed-purple RHS 187A and the abaxial             color is a combination of red-purple 63C and yellow-green             146D; lightly pubescent.         -   Stipules.—None. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Spike inflorescence with few sessile             flowers; typically only one flower is fully opened at any             given time. Aspect of flowers is upward to slightly             pendulous.         -   Inflorescence dimensions.—Approximately 4 cm long and 6 cm             wide. -   Bud:     -   -   Flower bud shape.—Spherical with an obovate profile.         -   Flower bud length.—Approximately 5.0 mm.         -   Flower bud diameter.—Approximately 2.0 mm, at the widest             point.         -   Bud color.—Near white RHS 155D. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flowering quantity.—Approximately 2 to 4 flowers per             inflorescence.         -   Natural flowering season.—Naturally blooming continuously             from early spring through late summer.         -   Pedicel.—None; flowers are sessile.         -   Calyx.—Quantity of sepals — 5 sepals, fused at the base.             Sepal dimensions — Approximately 7 to 7.5 mm long and 1.5 mm             wide. Sepal color — Near greyed-purple RHS 187A. Sepal apex             — Narrowly acuminate. Sepal margin — Entire.         -   Corolla.—Simple flower consisting of 5 petals, fused at the             base, forming a corolla tube; the approximate diameter is             7.5 mm and the approximate depth is 8.0 mm, including the             corolla tube. Flowers are not persistent and are             non-fragrant.         -   Petal description.—Arrangement — Rotate. Quantity — Five.             Length — Unfused portion of the petal measures approximately             3.5 to 4 mm long. Width — Unfused portion of the petal             measures approximately 3.0 mm wide. Apex — Broad acute.             Margin — Entire. Texture — Glabrous, smooth and with a matte             appearance. Color (adaxial surface) — Near white RHS 155D.             Color (abaxial surface) — Near white RHS 155D. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number — Four. Filament dimension — Approximately 6             mm long and 0.25 mm wide. Filament color — White; near RHS             155A and tinged with red-purple RHS 70A. Anther shape —             Comprised of two pollen chamber of equal size; general shape             is oblong. Anther length — Approximately 0.75 mm. Anther             color — Near red-purple RHS 70A along the dorsiventral             divide; remainder of anther near white RHS 155A. Pollen —             None observed.         -   Pistil.—Pistil number — One. Pistil dimensions —             Approximately 7 mm, including the style, and 0.25 mm wide.             Stigma shape — Club-shaped. Stigma color — White; near RHS             155A and tinged with red-purple RHS 70A. Ovary Position —             Superior. -   Fruit and seed production: None observed.     Comparison of HEGHE01 with Other Varieties of Hemigraphis alternata

By comparison with the parent, the leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ are characterized by a pink and green to white and green variegation of the upper leaf surface as described above, whereas the adaxial leaf surface of the parent is a solid color, corresponding to yellow-green 147A in juvenile and intermediate foliage and becoming greyed-purple (approximately 187A) at maturity. Likewise, the abaxial leaf surface of ‘HEGHE01’ exhibits a pink to white variegation as described herein, whereas the abaxial leaf surface of the parent is a darker, solid color corresponding to a combination of greyed-purple 186A and purple 79B in juvenile and intermediate foliage and becoming greyed-purple 187A and 79A in mature foliage. The stem color of ‘HEGHE01’ is a combination of red-purple 63C and yellow-green 146D, with the predominant color being red-purple 63C, whereas the stem color of the parent is a combination of yellow-green 146D and greyed-purple 187A, with the predominant color being greyed-purple 187D. Both ‘HEGHE01’ and the parent have a bullate leaf texture however the expression of this characteristic is more pronounced in ‘HEGHE01’. Also, leaf margins of ‘HEGHE01’ are more highly involuted, particularly in immature foliage, when compared with the parent. Furthermore, the leaf orientation of ‘HEGHE01’ is upward to near-vertical, whereas leaf orientation in the parent is upward and outward, translating to a slightly taller plant height for ‘HEGHE01’. While ‘HEGHE01’ is slightly taller than the parent, the stem internode length in ‘HEGHE01’ is shorter than that of the parent, which translates to more nodes per plant and, subsequently, a higher leaf count. This higher leaf count translates to a denser growth habit. Stem internode length between the first and second aerial internodes of ‘HEGHE01’ ranges from 20-35 mm whereas in the parent the length of the same ranges from 30 to 50 mm.

‘HEGHE01’ is similar to the commercial variety Hemigraphis alternata ‘HEGHE02’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 13/987,387) in many horticultural characteristics. ‘HEGHE01’, however, has a more upright growth habit, smaller leaves, a highly bullate leaf texture, highly involuted leaf margins, and leaves with pink and green to white and green variegation. ‘HEGHE01’ exhibits dimensions of approximately 22 cm tall and 28 cm wide and stems with an upright attitude, whereas ‘HEGHE02’ exhibits dimension of approximately 16 cm tall and 35 cm wide and stems with a decumbent, stolon-like growth habit. Mature leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ exhibit dimensions of approximately 80 mm long and 45 mm wide, whereas mature leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ exhibit dimensions of approximately 90 mm long and 55 mm wide. The leaf texture of ‘HEGHE01’ is highly bullate, whereas the expression of this characteristic is less pronounced in ‘HEGHE02’. Juvenile and intermediate leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ exhibit a highly involute cross-section by comparison with ‘HEGHE02’. The most significant distinguishing characteristic of ‘HEGHE01’ is the leaf coloration. Leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ are characterized by pink and green to white and green variegation of the adaxial leaf surface, as described herein, and a generally bright pink appearance to the abaxial leaf surface. By comparison, the adaxial leaf surface of ‘HEGHE02’ is characterized by green and yellow variegation and far less pink coloration of the abaxial surface. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hemigraphis alternata plant named ‘HEGHE01’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 